Re: [FWDLK] Headliner bow covers........

[Glenn Barratt <FURY@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Mike.
As you may recall I too have been working on this project for many
years, and after all this time researching the production process, the
conclusion that I have come to is that the actual production run of the
plastic itself is a piece of cake. There are dozens of places that can
do it in relatively small (1000 yards) production runs for me. I can tell
you it would be cheaper than US$2500 too!
The real problem to be solved is how to put the chrome finish on the
REVERSE side of the strips, so that it shines through the clear plastic,
creating the illusion of the 2 black strips showing on the face side of
the strips.
A/. Plastic cannot be directly chrome plated in 2003. To apply chrome
finish to plastic, the plastic needs a substrate such as copper applied
first, but this would defeat the object of having it on the reverse side
of the strips, as all you would see is the copper shining through.
B/. The strips are too long for any plastic chrome metalising vacuum
chamber that I have been able to locate.
C/. There is no sprayable chrome finish that looks anything remotely
like chrome. Those cans of spray paint that you see in hardware stores
with chrome caps, spray metallic silver at best.
D/. The plastic cannot be 'silvered' as in mirror production to give
a chrome look either-just not possible on plastic I am told.
Of all the people I have shown my headliner centre sample to, none
have any idea how this was chrome finish was produced 46 years ago, let
alone in 2003. This is the problem that needs to be solved, not the production
of the strips themselves.
Glenn Barratt,
57 Fury (with headliner bows).

Mike Barrett wrote:

> As some of you may
> or may not remember, I started looking into having the headliner bows reproduced
> for 57/58 Plymouths with the 3 piece headliner. I have found someone to
> do this for us and have some questions for everyone on the list.
> 1: How much interest is there in having
> this done? At $50 per set of two, would we be able to sell 50 sets (that
> would be the break even point).
> 2: I have 3 different samples to choose
> from and need a positive ID on the correct one from someone who is an expert
> within the group.
> 3: We can only get one color per run
> (due to cost), is clear or white acceptable for everyone involved. (they
> are paintable and chromable by the way).
> 4: If anyone has a spare metal bow
> (the part that the plastic piece snaps onto), I would like to send it to
> the manufacturer for trial fit purposes. The samples I have (which I sent
> for duplication), do not snap onto my bows very securely. Possibly due
> to age and deterioration, in any case, I want to ensure proper fit....
> 5: Are there any other years and models
> these pieces will fit? Mopar or other?
> I've spent dozens of hours on the
> phone and computer working this problem and would love to hear some feedback,
> questions, comments and the like. It's a big investment so I want to get
> it right the first time......
> Thanks to everyone in advance beforehand.
> Mike Barrett
> 57 Plymouth Belv (without the headliner
> bow covers)
> Vacaville, Ca